Insight 3: Looking for the Mind

Verse 17

When one looks again and again at the mind that is not a thing to be seen,
And sees vividly for what it is the meaning of not seeing,
Doubts about the meaning of “is” and “isn’t” are erased.
Without confusion, may my own face know itself.

Instructions

Turn your attention to the mind and after the questions look directly at the mind free of analyzing. Take the opportunity the silent moments give you to look directly.

Meditation

  • Allow the mind to be calm.
  • How do you look for your mind? 
  • Do you look out for your mind or do you look in for your mind? 
  • Do you look for your mind by analyzing the mind? 
  • Look directly for the mind. 
  • Does the mind dwell somewhere? 
  • If you think it dwells somewhere, how does it dwell? 
  • How do you identify the mind? 
  • Let the mind rest from looking. 
  • Again, look for the mind. 
  • Rest from looking. 
  • Look for the mind. 
  • Can you truly find the mind? 
  • Rest free from looking for the mind.  

After Meditation

  • Did you find you have a concept to identify the mind? 
  • Do you first have to perform an action in order to identify the mind?  
  • What happens when you shift from looking for the mind and rest from looking? 
  • Did you find during this meditation that you were not so distracted by the questions? 
  • Was there an ease with looking and not looking for the calm mind?

During the Day

Train in looking for the mind. 
If you have a brief experience of not being able to find the mind, rest right there for a few moments.
Look at the calm mind, rest from the looking.